Sanitary galvanic



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER H. VANDER WEYDE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SANITARY-GALVANIC APPLIANCE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 357,647, dated February 15, 1887.

Application filed April 19, 1886. Serial X0. 199,569. (No model.)

To all whom it 72m concr rn:

Be it known that I, PETER H. 'VANDER WEYDE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of BrooklymKings county, New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electro-Galvanic Belts, Pads, and Plasters for Medicinal Purposes, of which the following is a specification.

Itfs well known among the medical profession that among the appliances known under the names of galvanicpads, l alts; plasters, 870., only those are really effective in which the two metals commonly used in a galvanic battery are applied to the skin in such a way as to form a complete galvanic circuit, which, in the case referred to, is accomplished by bringing the two different 1netalsusually zinc and silver or a copper alloy-sin metallic contact, either direct or by a conducting-wire, so that when applying the two diflerent metals to theskin the latter, with the tissues under it, forms the liquid connecting-link, in fact, performs the function of theliqnid in a battery-cup in which the two metals are immersed. In this wayagentle galvanic current is continuously developed, the stimulating effect of which has proved, according to the experience of many years, to have had beneficial effects, and has cured or relieved various ailments.

It is well known at present that the origin of the function of galvanic batteries is the oxidation of the zinc, and not the mere contact of heterogeneous metals, as Volta believed. In, the case of the galvanic belts it is plainly proved by the loss of metallic luster and the coat of oxide soon covering the zinc, and caused bythe chemical action of the cutaneous perspiration. It is also well known that in all galvanic batteries part of the oxide of zinc dissolves in the liquid, which gradually becomes charged with zinc-salts. From this fact it is self-evident that such a partial solution in the-moisture of the skin must gradually take place when such galvanic pairs of plates are constantly applied, and thatto some extent it will be absorbed in the system, introducing there a foreign element,the entrance of which is far from desirable, for the following reasons: L

The compounds of zinc are poisonous. The

soluble compounds introduced into the stomach induce violent vomiting, for which reason wearing of a galvanic pad or bel t.

' the sulphate of zinc is sometimes prescribed when this effect is desired, and the stomach expels it so compl tely that it leaves less distressing after effects than most other en'i'eti'cs. The insoluble zinc compounds-such as zincwhite-produce among the men who handle them diseases similar to those of lead-poisoning, about which house-painters can testify, while such shirt-collars in the starch of which zinc-white has been used have caused troublesome sores around the neck, about which I have published accounts inthe Surgical and Medical Reporter, published in Philadelphia, 1867.

Certain constitutions are very susceptible to lead or zinc poisoning, while others are not; but this fact explains the cause why sometimes much soreness is experienced by the continued It is usual] y ascribed to the great strength of the electric current, and the patient advised to stop the application for awhile; but,infact,the trouble originates only by a local zinc-poisoning, induced bythe continual contact of the zinc oxide.

Fortunately there are other metals which 'will produce galvanic action as well as zinc and copper, and which are 'not so uncongenial to the system. At the head of these stand iron and aluminum, the compounds of which are not only harmless, but iron is directly beneficial, being extensively administered in various forms where a deficiency of iron in the blood has caused anaemia, manifest by a weakness and deadly paleness. It is strange that no one of all the manufacturers of galvanicappl-iances have ever thought of applying this useful and wholesome metal in the place of the hurtful and poisonous zinc, notwithstanding it is well known that galvanic batteries have been constructed in which the zinc was displaced by iron, theonly difference being that such batteries are a little less active, requiring a few more couples than is the case with zinc; but this is set off by the fact that the iron does notbecome covered with time to time with a piece of sand-paper.

For the above reasons I have made some galvanic pads, belts, necalaces, garters, &c., by means of a series of plates of iron and aluminum, or iron and silver, or even aluminum and silver, all of which combinations produced currents of different intensities, while a pad of alternate plates of iron and carbon gives the strongest current, as I have proved by a series of galvanometric tests with various fluids, among which I considered the most conclusive for the object in view a fluid approsz'imating,

the chemical composition ofthe cutaneous perspiration. Those plates are variously connected either for quantity or forintensity, ac cording to the object in View. When all the iron plates are connected and'all the silver, aluminum, or carbon plates. the contrivance becomes equivalent to two large plates. \Vhen they are connected in series, each iron plate with one plate of the other substance, I form a large number of weaker currents, each of which acts independent of the other.

It is evident that carbon by its fragility has to be excluded in most cases; but where it can be employed it is found to be most effective, being at the same time beneficial by its absorbent qualities and congeniality to the system.

As I do not claim any particular shape of belt, pad, plaster, necklace, garter, &c., I have not added any drawings.

There are several substances which may be used as negative electrodes, such as silver, aluminum, and especially carbon in cases where its fragility does not forbid its application; but I discard copper and German silver for the same reason that I discard zinc, the compounds of copper and of nickel being equally if not more poisonous than those of zinc.

In regard to the actionof the moisture of the skin upon the zinc and its reaction upon the persons Wearing the appliance, I have observed a considerable variety between diiferent constitutions. the skin secretes an acid perspiration, and in such cases this acidity dissolves the oxideof zinc formed in the same way that the acid acts in a'galvanicbattery cup, and the zinc salt formed will be absorbed and cause an irritation and inflammation, which makes it neces sary to abandon the use of the appliance. In another number of instances the secretion of the skin is not acid or small in amount. In such cases the coating of zinc oxide is not removed, but forms a non-conducting impermeable layer or crust, and the result is that the electric current is interrupted and the appliance becomes inert and useless. In this respect iron is far superior to zinc, as the coating of its oxide is not impermeable, but the action will continue as long as the iron lasts, while the absorption of iron, if it takes place,

will have a beneficial effect in place of being poisonous, as is the case with zinc.

\Vhat I wish to secure by Letters Patent PETER H. VANDER WEYDE.

\Vitnesses:

G. W. LASSERRE, F. O. MAGIVERY..

In a number of instances 

